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Pregabalin dispensing patterns in Amman-Jordan: An observational study from community pharmacies.

ABSTRACT: Objectives:Pregabalin is currently approved for the treatment of epilepsy, generalized anxiety disorder, neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia. Rising attention to the abuse liability of pregabalin causing addictive behaviors is partially based on case reports and published literature of pregabalin used in dosages that override the approved therapeutic range. This study was conducted to provide background data regarding the abuse/misuse of pregabalin from community pharmacy in Jordan. Methods:A prospective cross-sectional observational study design was used, which was conducted at different community pharmacies in Amman-Jordan. During the study period (November 2016-January 2017), a total 77 requests for pregabalin were observed from 14 pharmacies. A structured interview was conducted with all customers to gather information regarding their demographic and their request of pregabalin. Results:A total of 77 pregabalin requests form 77 customers in a community pharmacy setting were observed in this study. Spinal disc herniation was the most common complaint for which the customer asked for the medication (n = 27, 35.1%). Self-medication was the most frequent method of requesting pregabalin (n = 44, 57.1%), while a total of 33 customers (42.9%) asked for the product using a prescription. During the observation period the number of customers suspected of abusing pregabalin for non-medical reason was 35 (45.5%). A total of 33 out of the 35 suspected customers (94.3%) asked for the product without a prescription, and 19/35 weren't sold due to suspicion of abuse (54.3%). Conclusion:The study underscores the need for regulatory efforts to manage pregabalin abuse, through the addition of pregabalin containing products to the controlled drug list which can't be purchased without a prescription. Also, pharmacists and customers must be educated at a community pharmacy level regarding potential hazards of pregabalin abuse.

SUBMITTER: Al-Husseini A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5856951 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:IntroductionAutomated dose dispensing (ADD) is being introduced in several countries and the use of this technology is expected to increase as a growing number of elderly people need to manage their medication at home. ADD aims to improve medication safety and treatment adherence, but it may introduce new safety issues. This descriptive study provides insight into the nature and consequences of medication incidents related to ADD, as reported by healthcare professionals in community pharmacies and hospitals.MethodsThe medication incidents that were submitted to the Dutch Central Medication incidents Registration (CMR) reporting system were selected and characterized independently by two researchers.Main outcome measuresPerson discovering the incident, phase of the medication process in which the incident occurred, immediate cause of the incident, nature of incident from the healthcare provider's perspective, nature of incident from the patient's perspective, and consequent harm to the patient caused by the incident.ResultsFrom January 2012 to February 2013 the CMR received 15,113 incidents: 3,685 (24.4%) incidents from community pharmacies and 11,428 (75.6%) incidents from hospitals. Eventually 1 of 50 reported incidents (268/15,113 = 1.8%) were related to ADD; in community pharmacies more incidents (227/3,685 = 6.2%) were related to ADD than in hospitals (41/11,428 = 0.4%). The immediate cause of an incident was often a change in the patient's medicine regimen or relocation. Most reported incidents occurred in two phases: entering the prescription into the pharmacy information system and filling the ADD bag.ConclusionA proportion of incidents was related to ADD and is reported regularly, especially by community pharmacies. In two phases, entering the prescription into the pharmacy information system and filling the ADD bag, most incidents occurred. A change in the patient's medicine regimen or relocation was the immediate causes of an incident.

Dataset Information

Pregabalin dispensing patterns in Amman-Jordan: An observational study from community pharmacies.

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